Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 20 of 29

Thread: What to do? So confused ...

  1. #1
    Почётный участник emeraldeyez's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Location
    Eastern USA
    Posts
    133
    Rep Power
    11

    What to do? So confused ...

    I keep coming here for help. AND I get it. Which I totally love and thank each of you for your kindness.

    Question though ...

    My friend is teaching me ... But it is a bit slow going. (we have this odd sort of relationship, sigh, very convoluted really!) long story which I will save for another rainy day. LOL

    Anyway ... I want desperately to learn russian better (and quicker) but not just the formal russian. My friend says he likes that I am trying BUT that I keep speaking to him like he is 80 years old. (SIGH)

    PLUS he speaks to me where I have to "figure" out what it is he is telling me. Which that is ok, but so hard as I am not the smartest girl in the world (nor am I the dumbest) just slows me down. I am use to speaking what exactly is on my mind without mincing any words. I do not ever say something I do not mean. I don't play games, etc ... So this type of guessing and figuring out it hard. (HA ... but I LOVE challenges, and this certainly is one) AND I am trying to learn the humor in the words or way they are said.

    Anyway I figure the best way to learn is to immerse myself into it, but how? Is there anyone out there willing to take on an american who really has a desire to learn with no motive behind it other than friendship? <---- that is what I feel like at the moment. hehee

    So ideas? advice?

  2. #2
    Почётный участник
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Location
    Eastern Siberia
    Posts
    122
    Rep Power
    11

    Re: What to do? So confused ...

    Hi, You want to practice in russian? What do you mean saying "Is there anyone out there willing to take on an american who really has a desire to learn..."?
    If my post contains errors of any kind, I'd appreciate anyone setting me straight.

  3. #3
    Увлечённый спикер
    Join Date
    Apr 2008
    Location
    Russia, Skype: AlthOne
    Posts
    48
    Rep Power
    12

    Re: What to do? So confused ...

    As far as realized of all this "mind flow" you know Russian a bit but it's not enough to understand correctly what your friend's trying to tell( or type to) you, and you'd like to practise colloquial languige, right?
    Maybe you first have should ask your friend to type more correctly russian words if you use English letters. In this case, would be easy to recognize the written. Forth try to learn the Cyrillic, it's not hard as it may seems, that would give you an opportunity to read and wright in russian forum and chats, that IMO is one of the easiest way to improve the languige skills.

  4. #4
    Почётный участник emeraldeyez's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Location
    Eastern USA
    Posts
    133
    Rep Power
    11

    Re: What to do? So confused ...

    Quote Originally Posted by Selexin
    Hi, You want to practice in russian? What do you mean saying "Is there anyone out there willing to take on an american who really has a desire to learn..."?

    I stated this sentence because ... I genuinely want to learn to be able to help others in my area. I know a few (couples) that have moved here and are having a difficult time acclimating themselves to America. I want to show them that not all Americans are fake or rude. That there are a few of us out there that really genuinely care about others. Regardless of where anyone comes from, etc ... Somehow, I have to prove myself. So I learn so I can help them.

  5. #5
    Почётный участник emeraldeyez's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Location
    Eastern USA
    Posts
    133
    Rep Power
    11

    Re: What to do? So confused ...

    Quote Originally Posted by alexone
    As far as realized of all this "mind flow" you know Russian a bit but it's not enough to understand correctly what your friend's trying to tell( or type to) you, and you'd like to practise colloquial languige, right?
    YES

    Quote Originally Posted by alexone
    Maybe you first have should ask your friend to type more correctly russian words if you use English letters. In this case, would be easy to recognize the written. Forth try to learn the Cyrillic, it's not hard as it may seems, that would give you an opportunity to read and wright in russian forum and chats, that IMO is one of the easiest way to improve the languige skills.
    Well ... my friend is very proud and easily offended. (I have asked that he type more correctly.) He says I type incorrectly and he is correcting me. But I see his typing is different than others I know and even on here.

    I like and can decipher Cyrillic. But (and I stated this in other posts) we can only type in Latin letters on our cell phones because our cell phones do not have the Cyrillic alphabet.

    Plus how do I tell if I write correctly here? I really do not want to offend anyone!

    BTW ... so far this place is so nice. I like it here on this forum.

  6. #6
    Завсегдатай
    Join Date
    Jan 2004
    Location
    Mowcow, Russia
    Posts
    1,957
    Rep Power
    15

    Re: What to do? So confused ...

    I don't really think that having a correspondence with a penpal will help you to learn Russian fast. If you are not willing to pay for intensive training (which I can relate to ), your best bet would be to:
    a) obtain a good Russian textbook or enroll in a free online course (I am sure there must be some), and
    b) whenever you have a specific question regarding Russian grammar or something related to Russian language, come here and ask away . There is no need to feel embarrassed about asking too many questions. This forum would die without people asking questions, so ask as often as you need or want
    You may also want to consider making friends with Russians in your area, so that they can correct your pronunciation.

  7. #7
    Завсегдатай
    Join Date
    Jan 2004
    Location
    Mowcow, Russia
    Posts
    1,957
    Rep Power
    15

    Re: What to do? So confused ...

    Quote Originally Posted by emeraldeyez
    But (and I stated this in other posts) we can only type in Latin letters on our cell phones because our cell phones do not have the Cyrillic alphabet.
    Ah. I was under impression that you were exchanging e-mails with your Bielorussian friend. And if I am reading this correctly, he actually lives in the USA, and you are texting each other, right?

  8. #8
    Почётный участник emeraldeyez's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Location
    Eastern USA
    Posts
    133
    Rep Power
    11

    Re: What to do? So confused ...

    Quote Originally Posted by translationsnmru
    Quote Originally Posted by emeraldeyez
    But (and I stated this in other posts) we can only type in Latin letters on our cell phones because our cell phones do not have the Cyrillic alphabet.
    Ah. I was under impression that you were exchanging e-mails with your Bielorussian friend. And if I am reading this correctly, he actually lives in the USA, and you are texting each other, right?

    Da!!!!!!!!!!

  9. #9
    Почётный участник emeraldeyez's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Location
    Eastern USA
    Posts
    133
    Rep Power
    11

    Re: What to do? So confused ...

    Quote Originally Posted by translationsnmru
    I don't really think that having a correspondence with a penpal will help you to learn Russian fast. If you are not willing to pay for intensive training (which I can relate to ), your best bet would be to:
    a) obtain a good Russian textbook or enroll in a free online course (I am sure there must be some), and
    b) whenever you have a specific question regarding Russian grammar or something related to Russian language, come here and ask away . There is no need to feel embarrassed about asking too many questions. This forum would die without people asking questions, so ask as often as you need or want
    You may also want to consider making friends with Russians in your area, so that they can correct your pronunciation.
    Paying for a tutor right now is rather difficult. Any extra I have goes into ballroom dancing and competition.
    Thank you for making me feel good about asking questions. It is most appreciated!
    I am slowly making friends. Very slowly.

  10. #10
    Почётный участник
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Location
    Eastern Siberia
    Posts
    122
    Rep Power
    11

    Re: What to do? So confused ...

    Emeraldeyez, я думаю вам стоит начать писать свои посты на русском, а мы будем с удовольствием отвечать на них и исправлять ваши ошибки.
    Что касается вашего друга, то возможно он просто безграмотно говорит. Тем более, если он из Белоруссии, то его речь может быть искажена влиянем белорусского языка. Белорусская речь довольно своеобразна.
    Интересно, а есть в Америке русскоязычные каналы телевидения? Это прекрасная возможность при изучении языка, очень помогает учиться понимать речь на слух.
    Не помешало бы также приобрести хороший учебник.
    В общем дерзайте! Мы всегда поможем.
    If my post contains errors of any kind, I'd appreciate anyone setting me straight.

  11. #11
    Почётный участник
    Join Date
    Jul 2008
    Location
    Woburn, MA
    Posts
    79
    Rep Power
    11

    Re: What to do? So confused ...

    - learn the alphabet (print and cursive)
    - learn pronunciation
    - get a few good books on grammar, and learn learn learn.

    i've been learning on my own for many months now, and i found you have to be very focused when working with native speakers, they are eager to teach you certain phrases vocab etc but it will be better in teh long run to get down teh grammar first. So do simple rudimentary excersices with them to reinforce everything first. Then you can start actually trying to have real conversations.. Just my 2 cents.
    Пожалуйста, исправляйте мои ошибки.

  12. #12
    Почтенный гражданин studyr's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2009
    Location
    Бауманская, Москва Skype - alr0lbxrl
    Posts
    384
    Rep Power
    11

    Re: What to do? So confused ...

    Quote Originally Posted by noheat
    learn learn learn.
    Reminds of

  13. #13
    Завсегдатай Crocodile's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2008
    Location
    село Торонтовка Онтарийской губернии
    Posts
    3,057
    Rep Power
    19

    Re: What to do? So confused ...

    Quote Originally Posted by emeraldeyez
    Well ... my friend is very proud and easily offended. (I have asked that he type more correctly.) He says I type incorrectly and he is correcting me. But I see his typing is different than others I know and even on here.
    I realize it's not really my business, but I think your friend should be more tolerant as well. Anyway, I really doubt there's a quick solution to start speaking colloquial language without at least learning the fundamentals. You'd probably need to first settle on the way the sentences are formed and beef up your vocabulary. After about 1,000 words you should be able to speak good enough to learn from casually/carelessly formed speech as well. Based on my personal experience, I would highly recommend memorizing complete phrases (and texts) rather than isolate words. I used VOA Special English for that purpose, but unfortunately I'm presently unaware of a similar resource in Russian. I guess someone else on this forum definitely would be. Good luck!

  14. #14
    Почётный участник
    Join Date
    Dec 2008
    Location
    from Russia
    Posts
    119
    Rep Power
    11

    Re: What to do? So confused ...

    I'll try to give my advise too.
    1) watch to easy short videos (my choise for study English - 25min's episodes of "Friends") with Rus&Engl subs. I think serials its the best. Try to find "Саша и Маша" for example (but I suppose there isn't subs ). Even if you can't understand all, keep watching, one and one more times. (Movies isn't a good idea, cos you bored to watched them many times)
    2) Skype! http://forum.skype.com/index.php?showforum=140
    3) grammer, grammer, grammer Учи матчасть!
    4) You should to have a teacher (I think its worth to do, to have a lesson at least one time a week )
    Main thing - don't lose your interest, do it every day... my opinion... good luck!

  15. #15
    Почётный участник
    Join Date
    Jul 2008
    Location
    Woburn, MA
    Posts
    79
    Rep Power
    11

    Re: What to do? So confused ...

    emeraldeyez -

    where in eastern usa do you live? is there a large russian population in your state? you might be able to find a cheap tutor if so.. Friends are not always the best teachers.
    Пожалуйста, исправляйте мои ошибки.

  16. #16
    Почётный участник emeraldeyez's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Location
    Eastern USA
    Posts
    133
    Rep Power
    11

    Re: What to do? So confused ...

    Quote Originally Posted by Selexin
    Emeraldeyez, я думаю вам стоит начать писать свои посты на русском, а мы будем с удовольствием отвечать на них и исправлять ваши ошибки.
    Что касается вашего друга, то возможно он просто безграмотно говорит. Тем более, если он из Белоруссии, то его речь может быть искажена влиянем белорусского языка. Белорусская речь довольно своеобразна.
    Интересно, а есть в Америке русскоязычные каналы телевидения? Это прекрасная возможность при изучении языка, очень помогает учиться понимать речь на слух.
    Не помешало бы также приобрести хороший учебник.
    В общем дерзайте! Мы всегда поможем.

    Спасибо
    Я прислушаюсь ваш.
    Я думаю вы правы что он говорит литерал.
    Я сказан белорусский язык очень уникально.
    То там некоторыми сходствами к русскому, но не много.
    Мой следующий проект, получить ТВ канал русского языка. 2 здесь.

  17. #17
    Почётный участник emeraldeyez's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Location
    Eastern USA
    Posts
    133
    Rep Power
    11

    Re: What to do? So confused ...

    Quote Originally Posted by noheat
    - learn the alphabet (print and cursive)
    - learn pronunciation
    - get a few good books on grammar, and learn learn learn.

    i've been learning on my own for many months now, and i found you have to be very focused when working with native speakers, they are eager to teach you certain phrases vocab etc but it will be better in teh long run to get down teh grammar first. So do simple rudimentary excersices with them to reinforce everything first. Then you can start actually trying to have real conversations.. Just my 2 cents.

    Я понимаю!

  18. #18
    Почётный участник emeraldeyez's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Location
    Eastern USA
    Posts
    133
    Rep Power
    11

    Re: What to do? So confused ...

    Quote Originally Posted by Crocodile
    Quote Originally Posted by emeraldeyez
    Well ... my friend is very proud and easily offended. (I have asked that he type more correctly.) He says I type incorrectly and he is correcting me. But I see his typing is different than others I know and even on here.
    I realize it's not really my business, but I think your friend should be more tolerant as well. Anyway, I really doubt there's a quick solution to start speaking colloquial language without at least learning the fundamentals. You'd probably need to first settle on the way the sentences are formed and beef up your vocabulary. After about 1,000 words you should be able to speak good enough to learn from casually/carelessly formed speech as well. Based on my personal experience, I would highly recommend memorizing complete phrases (and texts) rather than isolate words. I used VOA Special English for that purpose, but unfortunately I'm presently unaware of a similar resource in Russian. I guess someone else on this forum definitely would be. Good luck!

    I agree to a point that maybe he should be a bit more tolerant. BUT ... I take him for what he is. He means well.

    Right now I have pimsler ... which I know is not great, BUT I could get from the library and download to my computer for free. So I listen to this daily. I go on youtube and itunes for podcasts. I also downloaded russian music which I listen to daily on my ipod and also found a few internet russian radio stations. (I play at work and have submitted all of my co-workers to the russian too. hehee) So totally trying to immerse myself into it.

  19. #19
    Почётный участник emeraldeyez's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Location
    Eastern USA
    Posts
    133
    Rep Power
    11

    Re: What to do? So confused ...

    Quote Originally Posted by Shurick
    I'll try to give my advise too.
    1) watch to easy short videos (my choise for study English - 25min's episodes of "Friends") with Rus&Engl subs. I think serials its the best. Try to find "Саша и Маша" for example (but I suppose there isn't subs ). Even if you can't understand all, keep watching, one and one more times. (Movies isn't a good idea, cos you bored to watched them many times)
    2) Skype! http://forum.skype.com/index.php?showforum=140
    3) grammer, grammer, grammer Учи матчасть!
    4) You should to have a teacher (I think its worth to do, to have a lesson at least one time a week )
    Main thing - don't lose your interest, do it every day... my opinion... good luck!

    1. yep doing the video thing online. well trying to...
    2. skype ... what is this? I keep hearing it, but what is it?
    3. gottcha!
    4. I did. But money is an issue at this time.

    I promise, I won't lose interest. The language, the people, to beautiful!

  20. #20
    Почётный участник emeraldeyez's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Location
    Eastern USA
    Posts
    133
    Rep Power
    11

    Re: What to do? So confused ...

    Quote Originally Posted by noheat
    emeraldeyez -

    where in eastern usa do you live? is there a large russian population in your state? you might be able to find a cheap tutor if so.. Friends are not always the best teachers.

    I live in MD. There is a fairly large russian community here, but keep well to themselves unless it's the younger crowd. Not what I'd like to do. hehee (I am talking a 10 to 15 year age difference)

    Agreed friends are not always.

Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast

Similar Threads

  1. i am confused
    By zhentos in forum French
    Replies: 2
    Last Post: March 17th, 2010, 07:47 AM
  2. I Am Very Confused And Need Help Please
    By iosifbakhvalov in forum Russian Names
    Replies: 80
    Last Post: March 17th, 2009, 10:56 AM
  3. Confused on ты
    By Odie in forum Getting Started with Russian
    Replies: 2
    Last Post: March 10th, 2009, 02:35 AM
  4. confused!
    By jessi in forum Getting Started with Russian
    Replies: 5
    Last Post: September 20th, 2005, 09:46 PM
  5. I'm confused.......
    By Nuta in forum Learn English - Грамматика, переводы, словарный запас
    Replies: 5
    Last Post: July 6th, 2004, 04:50 AM

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  


Russian Lessons                           

Russian Tests and Quizzes            

Russian Vocabulary